Freedom of Expression

Press Release 191/08

PRESS RELEASE

PREN 191/08

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION DEPLORES MURDER OF JOURNALIST IN GUATEMALA AND DEMANDS INVESTIGATION

Washington, D.C, May 16, 2008 - The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the Organization of American States deplores the murder of Jorge Merida Perez, correspondent for newspaper Prensa Libre at Quetzatenango, Guatemala. The Office of the Special Rapporteur urges Guatemalan authorities to investigate this crime promptly and effectively, and to duly punish those responsible.

On May 10, 2008, Merida Perez was writing an article at his home, when an unidentified individual came in and shot him four times in the head, according to the media and non governmental organizations. In the days prior to his death, Merida Perez had said to his relatives and friends that he was receiving threats, although he did not give them any detail. The journalist had been working on articles related to local drug trafficking and government corruption.

Under the American Convention on Human Rights, States have the duty to prevent, investigate, and sanction any violation of the rights recognized therein. Principle 9 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression of the IACHR states that "the murder, kidnapping, intimidation of and/or threats to social communicators, as well as the material destruction of communications media violate the fundamental rights of individuals and strongly restrict freedom of expression."

For additional information about the Office of the Special Rapporteur: http://www.cidh.org/relatoria/index.asp?lID=1

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